Taylor Alumna Conducts Original Composition at Carnegie Hall

Taylor alumna Leeann (Ashby ’08) Starkey recently conducted an original composition at Carnegie Hall. This performance on such a historical stage marked a huge accomplishment in her career.

Journey to the Stage

During her time at Taylor, Starkey earned her bachelor's degree in Music Education. Upon graduating, she dabbled in choral music composition as a hobby. Starkey did not pursue this as a career though and instead taught at private and public schools for multiple years. Eventually, Starkey was employed by the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, where she serves in a variety of roles, including curriculum manager, composer-in-residence, librarian, and director. Little did she know that the choir she began singing with in fifth grade would remain a lasting connection for nearly 30 years.

Starkey has always had a passion for poetry, and she grew up surrounded by music. These two factors naturally led to her creating something of her own. A poem she always thought would make beautiful music is “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allen Poe, and one of the first pieces she composed was a choral arrangement to the words of the poem. A community choir sang that arrangement at a festival, where a coworker heard the piece and asked for permission to publish it. Over time, through encouragement from her coworkers, Starkey built confidence in her craft.

Starkey was commissioned by the Indianapolis Children’s Choir to write an original piece for the choir’s 30th anniversary. Through “When I Sing," she aimed to convey the feeling of singing, inspired by the beauty and freedom of music. In Starkey’s words, “The choir taught me how to sing, and it became such an integral part of my life.” This passion would lead to a great opportunity for Starkey: conducting at Carnegie Hall.

Performing at Carnegie

On June 24, 2026, Starkey conducted "When I Sing" at Carnegie Hall, which the Indianapolis Children’s Choir rented in honor of their 40th anniversary. While she directed, Starkey’s daughter sang in the choir. Starkey described it as “an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.” Even though there were moments that felt like a normal concert, the legendary feeling of the stage washed over her as she was conducting. Knowing the legacy of great musicians who had performed at the hall before her, it truly was remarkable for her to walk through those halls in the same way. “It was very exciting and very meaningful on multiple levels,” Starkey said, “as a composer, performer, and a mom.”

Starkey credits Taylor as a foundational experience that laid the groundwork for her career, and she is so grateful to the professors and friends who have continued to support her all these years after graduating.